Scott Co. chicken tests positive for Avian Flu

SCOTT COUNTY, AR (KAIT)- The Arkansas Department of Health says one chicken in Scott County has tested positive for the Avian Flu. They add it poses no public health threat.

The Arkansas Livestock and Poultry Commission got confirmation Tuesday evening that a chicken in a Scott County chicken house has tested positive for H7N7 Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

30 Livestock and Poultry Commission personnel have quarantined poultry within a 6-mile radius of where the infected bird was found. They are coordinating testing with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Only the USDA can confirm Avian Flu cases.

Chickens tend to contract Avian Flu via infected waterfowl or water contaminated by waterfowl. Livestock and Poultry officials believe the recent flooding in Scott County contributed to the infection.

The Arkansas Department of Health say the positive test poses no public health threat. Avian flu cannot be transmitted to people through eating properly prepared poultry.